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swing

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verb

1
as in to deviate
to change one's course or direction thinking that we were being followed, we abruptly swung to the left at the next intersection swing right at James St.

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
as in to turn
to change the course or direction of (something) at the sound of gunfire, the cavalry officer swung his horse around and galloped rapidly back to the fort

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in to rotate
to move (something) in a curved or circular path on or as if on an axis he swung the bat as hard as he could but he missed the ball don't let the wind swing that gate shut

Synonyms & Similar Words

5
as in to hang
to place on an elevated point without support from below beach towels swung up to dry on the lifeguard's high chair

Synonyms & Similar Words

6

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb swing differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of swing are fluctuate, oscillate, sway, undulate, vibrate, and waver. While all these words mean "to move from one direction to its opposite," swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side.

the door suddenly swung open

When might fluctuate be a better fit than swing?

Although the words fluctuate and swing have much in common, fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value.

fluctuating interest rates

When is it sensible to use oscillate instead of swing?

The words oscillate and swing are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction.

an oscillating fan

When could sway be used to replace swing?

While in some cases nearly identical to swing, sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement.

trees swaying in the breeze

When can undulate be used instead of swing?

In some situations, the words undulate and swing are roughly equivalent. However, undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion.

an undulating sea of grass

Where would vibrate be a reasonable alternative to swing?

The meanings of vibrate and swing largely overlap; however, vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact.

the vibrating strings of a piano

In what contexts can waver take the place of swing?

While the synonyms waver and swing are close in meaning, waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering.

the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of swing
Noun
In theaters July 25 26 of 31 Happy Gilmore 2 Cinema’s grumpiest golfer is back in the swing of things — with Bad Bunny costarring as his caddie. Jack Smart, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025 If the medical checks out for Andy Reid, this is worth the swing. Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
The show swings, with melodramatic ease, between success and failure. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 16 Apr. 2025 But eight years later, the big front door at 14 W. 10th Street swung open again. Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for swing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for swing
Noun
  • For instance, people often mistake a dog’s wagging tail as a sign of happiness, but the American Kennel Club suggests that the wagging movement only indicates that the dog is emotionally aroused.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Kasky’s classmate, David Hogg, now vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, has also been an outspoken gun control advocate since surviving Parkland, and was among the more visible faces in the March for Our Lives movement.
    David Goodhue, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • For most companies, making such a shift would require committing hundreds of millions, or even billions, of dollars to building and expanding U.S. factories, economists say.
    Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
  • The shift from print to digital has disrupted traditional media hierarchies, yet Black women still struggle to access opportunities.
    Joce Blake, Essence, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Related Articles While not completely deviating from his wartime attire, Zelensky partially adhered to the Vatican’s dress code for the somber occasion.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • That exemplified her approach, even if her first cookbook sometimes deviated from that mission.
    Danielle Dorsey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • When efforts to repurpose it as a museum or hotel didn’t materialize, Okaloosa County officials stepped in with a forward-thinking plan: turn the SS United States into a reef teeming with life, a win-win boon to the marine environment and to eco-tourism.
    Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 23 Apr. 2025
  • If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • It could be manipulated by the therapist or simply placed in the correct position by the individual.
    Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 20 Apr. 2025
  • These are powers that many politicians – including, currently, U.S. President Donald Trump – would seemingly like to control or at least manipulate.
    Ana Carolina Garriga, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Stop in for handcrafted cocktails, beer, and wine in the company of live music and rotating art installations.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Wilcke: While the quarterbacks rotated early and often, Loftis and Harrell looked to be in a 1A-1B role, while Wilcke worked with the second team.
    Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This hanging egg chair adds both comfort and style to your space and comes in multiple cushion colors, including green, blue, gray, beige, and cream.
    Rachel Trujillo, Travel + Leisure, 26 Apr. 2025
  • The corpses started appearing in the early 2000s, hanging from overpasses with threats scrawled on their shirts.
    Antón Barba-Kay, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Many cancer patients in these regions cannot afford or physically reach hospitals for frequent intravenous treatments.
    Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Trump's implementation of the act was originally upheld by the Supreme Court, but the justices also ruled that immigrants must first be afforded the right to legally challenge any deportation efforts.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Swing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/swing. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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